A recent trip across the water got me thinking about two islands: the first island has a network of Green Lanes with a maximum speed limit of 15mph to encourage cyclists and pedestrians; cycle routes cover around 100 miles of the island and there’s a 48 mile footpath which goes right round the island. Plus a reliable and economical bus service which gives access to pretty much everywhere. The other island has one of the highest rates of car ownership and use in the world; it has a superb sandy bay with a four lane highway where there should be a tranquil promenade; this island seems to have more Porsches than Stuttgart and more 4x4s than a meeting of the Young Farmers. On this island, although the main town has a population of just 30,000, it’s completely clogged with traffic, in something close to gridlock on working days. Poor waymarking means that the round-island path disappears in several places (although locals say it’s there if you know where - not much use for non-locals). And access to some of the most beautiful beaches is all but cut off by private landowners. Of course, it’s one island: The Bailiwick of Jersey. Jersey is beautiful, with its broad sandy beaches and towering cliffs. But for an island of only 100,000 people, the traffic is absurd - something needs to be done: and building more highways is not the answer.
Jersey’s buses seem pretty good. Operated by Connex on behalf of the States of Jersey, the system is clear and informative. Liberation Station in St. Helier, Jersey’s capital, is the hub of the system. And it shows how a bus station can be – there’s an independent café serving great coffee and tasty snacks, there’s clear and timely departure information displayed on screens, a helpful information centre staffed by friendly and approachable people. One brilliant design feature is that the buses sit behind sliding doors which open when it’s time to climb aboard – which ensures that waiting passengers are neither windswept nor engulfed in diesel fumes. 
